Frenchay Out Of School Club

This club opened in September 2014 and runs Monday to Friday before and after school, from 7.40am to 6pm (closing 5.30pm on Fridays)

MAY 25 UPDATE: We are currently full Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursdays at the After School Club, with limited availability in the mornings Please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to go onto the waiting list. 

What a lovely report about our recent amazing Ofsted inspection by The Downend Voice ! 

Club is a ‘happy place’ for children

An inspector has praised an out of school club’s “warm and welcoming environment” for children.

Ofsted visited Frenchay Out Of School Club in March, for its first assessment since the club moved with the school to a new site in Alexander Road in 2022.

Inspector Michelle Grayling said the club, which has 84 children aged from four to 11 on its roll, meets Ofsted’s requirements for quality and standards.

She said staff plan a range of activities to cater for children’s individual preferences, from drawing and crafts to football, in a “relaxed yet structured and well organised environment”.

The inspector said: “Staff value children’s voices as they give children the autonomy to have their say about the club. Staff incorporate their suggestions when planning activities.

“Children show a strong sense of pride about their club.”

The report said staff encourage older children to take on leadership roles, including becoming a ‘buddy’ to younger children, which helps create a “culture of mutual respect and inclusivity” for all.

They also make improvements suggested by children, buying sports equipment from “wish lists” children have made and offering snacks they ask for to promote a “sense of ownership” among the children.

Staff work with parents and class teachers to make sure children have “consistent support” at the breakfast club and after-school club, which operate on each school day.

The inspector said: “If children require additional support at school, staff support this at the club too, so building children’s confidence.”

Support for staff from managers was highlighted, with training to increase skills and gain extra qualifications.

The inspector said: “Staff report high levels of well-being. They express their enthusiasm for working at the club and describe it as ‘one big family’.”

Parents told Ofsted they appreciate the club providing a “happy place” for their children while they are at work, and its “positive impact” on their confidence and social development.

The inspector said: “They say children ask to go even on days when they are not scheduled to attend.”

Club owner and manager Cath Purchase said: “We are delighted with the feedback we received from the inspector about the quality of care we provide.

“The inspector said that she was extremely impressed with the children’s behaviour, the staff interactions and how happy the children were.”

Cath thanked the staff, parents and children, “who make the club such a great place to be”.

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Our brilliant Ofsted Report from November 2019!:

We are pleased to say that in November 2019 Frenchay OOSC was judged at the highest grade now available to us: Met (with no actions). We are delighted with the feedback we received from the inspector about the quality of care we provide. Below are some of the many positive comments in the report:

‘Children enjoy their time at the club. They eagerly arrive and happily talk with staff about their day at school.

‘Staff have formed lovely bonds with the children and know the children well. They value their opinions and use their knowledge of the children along with children's suggestions to plan fun, exciting activities.

‘Children behave well and staff show a consistent approach to managing children's behaviour. Staff talk with children about their behaviour and what the expectations are while they are at the club

‘Children are kind and show concern for others.’

‘Staff create an extremely inclusive environment where diversity is highly respected. They are excellent role models and treat children with high levels of respect. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are well supported.

‘Staff know the children well and genuinely care about the children's enjoyment while at the club.

‘The views of children and parents is given high priority.

‘Staff enthusiastically join in ball games with the children, they play football and basketball. They offer lots of praise and encouragement to boost children's self-esteem and confidence.

‘Staff supervise children closely at all times outdoors and children are aware of the rules and expectations when outside.

‘Parents speak highly of the club. They comment that they are very happy with the care provided and that their children enjoy their time at the club. They state that staff are friendly and give good feedback when they collect children at the end of the day.

‘Children are highly independent, they make wraps for their snack and wash up their plates and cutlery when they have finished.

‘Snack time is a sociable time, staff engage children in conversations and listen intently to what children have to say.

‘(Staff) take into account children's interests when planning activities and gather children's feedback to help them reflect on activities provided.

‘Staff deploy themselves effectively to supervise children during their play and to provide them with the support they need’.

The full Ofsted report is available to view here

Prior to Spetember 2019, out of school clubs were eligible for the school/preschool Ofsted grading system and Frenchay OOSC was rated 'Good' in July 2016 

'Children develop good self-confidence and social skills, and are very independent'. They 'treat others with kindness and respect.' Ofsted 2016.